…..With the first of three new titles hitting stores this month and an exciting new adaption of a former novel in the works, the prolific Ms. Bryant took time to dish on her latest projects, what made her end a favorite fan series and why, even after incredible success in the romance field, she will always walk on the urban side.

KNOWSHI- Your next book seems to be taking you away from the Strong family and into a new direction called Hot From Holtsville, why did you stop that series?

NIOBIA – “There’s good money in doing them, but if I’ve come to the end of the road, then that’s just what it is. I know my readers would love for me to continue, because the Strong series did very well, but I had just come to the end of the road with it. I began with the children of the family and ended with the love story of the parents, it went back 40 years to when they first met. I knew I would stop with the sixth book, and I have, because I don’t see anymore stories for them. I don’t write for the money to be made, I want to also love the story that I’m telling. I am okay with walking away from a character if it keeps me from loving what I’m doing.”

KNOWSHI- I was shocked that we both have a local favorite writer in common, the late Francis Ray. Her death last year was hard to take.

NIOBIA – “I know right? She’s one of the reasons I even took a step to write in the first place. It was her book Heart of the Falcon that made me take my love of romance novels to the next level. I’m glad I was able to meet her, shake her hand… because of her, I’ve been able to go from Romance to Mainstream [Fiction] and UF, and I love all three.”

KNOWSHI- Another one of my favorites is 2010′s Message From A Mistress, and I was glad to read on your Facebook page that it’s being made into a film. When should we expect to see it?

NIOBIA – “It’s in the early pre-production stage, I have a production credit….. (click here for the full interview at knowshi.com)